Up to 20 men were involved in an incident of violent disorder at a hotel in Killarney being used as a temporary direct provision centre on 1 January, a court was told today.
Killarney District Court heard that the incident involved a group of Georgian men and a group of Algerian men.
Eight accused, four Algerian men and four Georgian men, appeared before the court charged with violent disorder.
The court was told that instructions from the DPP were awaited, but that the State objected to bail in the case of one Algerian man alleged to have wielded a knife in the course of the dispute, allegedly inflicting stab wounds on a number others.
The seven other men were granted bail on condition they leave Killarney to reside at garda-approved addresses in Meelick, Co Clare, and Clonakilty, Co Cork, in the case of three Algerians; while the four Georgian men are to reside in Co Louth and Co Laois.
Fouad Mekhazni, 27, of Hotel Killarney and originally from Algeria, was charged with one count of violent disorder, as well as a second count of producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, on 1 January at Hotel Killarney.
The State objected to a bail application for Mr Mekhazni, Sergeant Kieran O'Connell said.
Detective Garda Nigel Hennessy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at 7.31pm at Killarney Garda Station on Monday 2 January.
Mr Mekhazni made no reply to the charges.
Outlining the objections to bail, Det Garda Hennessy said there was the nature and degree of seriousness of the offences.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern said his client denied wielding a knife.
Judge David Waters refused bail and remanded Mr Mekhazni to appear via video link at Tralee District Court tomorrow.
Three other Algerian men were before the court charged with violent disorder. They were 31-year-old Rabah Kouchih, 27-year-old Allal Bazizt and 34-year-old Mounir Fadli.
Four Georgian men were before the court charged with violent disorder. They were 36-year-old Zurabi Muqtiashvili, Giorgi Basharadze, 33, Levani Guliashvili, 32; and 36-year-old Amiran Meparishvili.
Judge Waters remanded the seven men on bail to appear before Killarney District Court on 7 February for instructions from the DPP.
Legal aid was granted in the case of all applications.
